Essien goes AWOL! Ghana launch investigation into absent Chelsea star

18 November 2009 04:51

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The Ghana Football Association will investigate the absence of Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, Inter Milan's ex-Portsmouth ace Sulley Muntari and Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan from the squad which travelled to Luanda for Wednesday's friendly against Angola.

The trio were not part of the group which left Accra on Monday for the game at the Coqueiros Stadium, but did not have the consent of head coach Milovan Rajevac to leave the squad.

A statement on the GFA website from general secretary Kofi Nsiah read: 'In accordance with prescribed FIFA regulations for the release of players for national team matches, the FA wrote to and secured the release of 20 players to honour the World Cup qualifying match against Mali on November 15 and the international friendly against Angola on November 18.

Gone to ground: Chelsea midfielder Essien is not with his national squad

'Unfortunately, three players, namely Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan, did not travel with the team to Angola on Monday night.

'The players stayed out without the permission of the head coach, Mr Milovan Rajevac.

'The FA views this act with great concern and will investigate the matter further to inform its next course of action.'

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